PART ONE, CHAPTER ELEVEN: "SPEAKING TERMS"

-THE GOLDEN BOY & THE INNER CITY-

I have trouble remembering him.

The Shibuya who preached the Kusanagi's mantra of infallable strength. The Schneider who rose to the top on birthright alone. We're similar, I think, but also different. To peek into the mind of a past me would reveal no massive difference in hobbies, speech tendencies, or even attitude. Satou Schneider as a personality has long since reached its peak.

"There is no room for growth."

And yet, Niflheim's Satou Shibuya truly believed this. Perhaps such defined his confidence. A stalwart, unchanging pillar that shone for all to see, even in the darkest of nights. To watch from above, to look down on those beneath your feet, I can't fathom such a thing anymore. When did I lose my place? When did Satou Shibuya forget his lines?

Oh, I remember.

To stand at the apex, to stare out at the clouds above, is a wonderful feeling. But he didn't feel lonely, just a subtle happiness that he didn't need any help. An unshakeable refusal to stretch out one's hand, to accept assistance. Doing so meant lowering himself. He couldn't do that. And so, like a tyrant atop his throne, he feigned effort. He pretended to step forward.

No, maybe the pretense of trying lead to the genuine article?

-UNKNOWN-

I loathed the layout of Kawagusa General Academy.

A twisting marvel scribbled into place by a madman at his drafting table, the semi-circular building felt most reminiscent of a lemon wedge. Squeezed and shaved until only the rind remained, you were left with the current hellscape. I reserved the term for only the worst of scenes, and KGA's first year building had earned it.

Congratulations!

Nothing could justify this madness. Twisting staircases at multiple locations, hallways that lead into each other as if occupying four-dimensional space, it felt more like an artist's passion project than a building saved in the name of education and practicality. It hardly fulfilled its intended purpose as an easy to navigate school.

Only with one hand on the wall, with golden circuitry tracing the framework, could I put my confusions to rest. When you knew the layout, it made sense. A strange thing to say, but I couldn't describe it any other way. To commit the eldritch landscape of "school" to human tongue would cause no small deal of stress.

Thus, my focus shifted to Yoshida Yamashina.

That golden girl is walking awfully fast. I suppose by raiju standards it might be a slow saunter. The mind's eye, however, sees otherwise. Such an agitated walk, is she angry?

My fingers traced the windows. Condensed moisture didn't seep through my anti-contamination suit. No, I felt only the cool sensation of wintery glass against my skin. Step after step, tile after tile. No, don't lose focus. Deep breaths, Satou Shibuya.

Now then, where are you?

The golden girl already turned the corner. Arms crossed against her chest with fingers firmly clutched against her sides. A slow, very deep breath. Then she exhaled, I think. I could hear nothing, but I almost imagined the quiet click of her feet against the tiles.

Heading to the stairs, is it?

Yamashina turned the corner into the stair landing. My thoughts were confirmed, but my footsteps remained steady. To keep locked on to her required a bizarre amount of focus. I decided to move slowly for now. It'd be troublesome to lose her location, after all. Still, what poor form!

Try as I might to stay focused, the mind wandered before I closed its gate. For instance, it'd be easy to catch her off guard. Not that I wanted to, of course. Such struck me as childish. Who would benefit from such a thing? Inane thoughts assaulted me.

I wonder, have I stepped on a certain someone's toes?

Impossible, the exalted Satou Shibuya could do no wrong. To even try and assert otherwise could be construed as a crime against humanity. Foolish, foolish. I myself should've been the last person to question my own decisions. After all, I'd offered her a kindness- an opportunity to weigh in on my all too immaculate life.

"Offense can be taken, not given," mother most perfect believed this wholeheartedly. Her dogma spread to sister dearest and I like wildfire. Perhaps I came across as a wee bit rude on certain occasions, but at whose expense? Nobody's, provided they understood common sense. Honestly, why even entertain this train of thought-

Turn here.

I glanced around the corner, and towards the distant staircase. Right, find your focus. The golden girl stepped up the stairs. Halfway to the roof, it seemed, no doubt to inspect the work of Ikuzawa's group. I had a clear idea of where she intended to go, so I pried my finger from the windows. Sensations from the surounding world flooded back.

"Now then, what to do?" I said.

It felt like a good time to build a plan of action. After arriving, I'd discern the nature of her discontent. Afterwards, once the nature of her foolish conflict was determined, the game would begin once more. There were matters to tend to, plans to make, so and and so forth. That's all there was to it, one-hundred percent, so I sped up.

It'd be inconvenient if we lost because of this foolish excursion, after all.

Before I realized it, I'd already reached the stairs. As expected of the exalted Satou Shibuya, my footwork surpassed even the wind. Such quick steps, none could question that I possessed the fastest walk. I didn't look down at my feet because I knew their gait. Calm, reserved, one foot in front of the other.

I caught my breath once I arrived at the door leading to the roof. Deep breaths followed one after another as I emptied my mind. With a nod, I quietly stepped onto the roof.

Gray skies loomed over the distant cityscape, which masked its presence behind snow and fog. Niflheim never struck me as the most scenic of places, but it had a bizarre sort of charm. A distant concrete jungle, looming every so subtly on the horizon, meant the world to me. Still, early morning skies did little for the view.

Only at night can you see a city's beauty.

My gaze panned down to the school's rooftop.

Dark gray concrete overlayed the framework beneath, no doubt an aesthetic oversight. Tall metal fences stood less than a foot away from the concrete lip separating the average student from being a news headline. As if trying to affirm the roof's safety, someone saw fit to put six benches on the roof. Two, side by side, on each side of the enclosure.

A little tacky, to be honest.

Yamashina was nowhere to be seen. Not on any of the benches, and not in the very center either. Instead, dead center of the roof, sat the child of my brilliant mind- a tall metal rod of five meters in height. A lightning rod, if you would. I'd hastily thrown it together, but the end result came out better than expected.

Those lot did well getting it up here. I spy minor scratches and scuffs, for sure, but I didn't think they'd actually manage to do it. I suppose a carrot is in order for my foolish little mules.

I decided to reserve praise until afterwards.

Now then, where is that fool of a girl?

A cursory glance revealed no hidden figures beneath the benches. Obvious, one might assume, and I'd agree. I'm not sure why I looked. Of course she wouldn't be there- The mind spoke with enough conviction to make me flinch. Still, how had she escaped me?

There were more pressing matters.

My gaze fell on the lightning rod's base. It couldn't be called safe, not pressed raw against the school roof. I dropped to one knee and, with a golden crackle, insulated the concrete beneath my feet. An easy task for my ability.

I nodded. "If a mistake is corrected before anyone notices, it ceases to be a mistake. With that said, the exalted Satou Shibuya's wrong-free streak continues. As expected of me."

Kshick.

As I finished speaking, the distant scrape of boots caught my attention. Not so distant, rather. From a different direction- behind me. I saw nobody, but the last puzzle piece clicked into place. I narrowed my gaze.

One might not notice, but the fence enclosure did not start at the roof's entrance. Rather, it encompassed it. If you turned around, you'd immediately notice the roof's rather hidden back area. I had no doubts that a tryst or two might transpire back there in the coming months.

A-Animals, all of them.

No matter. I'd figured out my mark's location and, on top of that, discovered a nice spot. For activities. I cleared my throat and my mind. That's right, pure activities. Nothing unseemly, of course. I peered around the corner and found nothing, so I stepped onto the narrow walkway.

A single meter separated the fence on my left and the wall on my right.

I glanced at the distant fortress of stone and scoffed. I had a clear view. At full power, if this were a real battle, I could decimate their entire team from where I stood. Our game couldn't possibly serve as reference for live combat. Everyone must've known.

Right, don't get sidetracked... hm?

I found the golden girl as I turned the next corner.

"Still," I murmured, "what a funny pose."

Yoshida Yamashina sat with her back against the wall. Eyes closed, crossed arms clutching at her sides, and knees pressed tightly against her forearms. She didn't move as I turned the corner. The girl didn't even look in my direction! Honestly, her reception needed work.

She's almost certainly not sleeping.

At, least I didn't think so. Her eyes weren't merely closed. They were shut tight, as if denying the outside world's existence. Her breathing was calm, cool, almost manufactured. It became clear as day that she actively denied my presence.

I stepped forward with a shrug. "Honestly, do you take joy in troubling me? I'll look bad if you strut out mid-conversation, you see."

No response.

"Ignoring me? Again, how mature-"

"Leave."

Yoshida Yamashina spoke quietly and without looking in my direction. Even curled up like a pillbug she dared speak to me in such a manner. This moved past disrespect and stepped into the territory of insanity- a world beyond the minds of men.

How very odd.

A bizarre feeling assailed me, one I couldn't place. A glance from one end of the walkway to the other revealed no traps. A touch to the concrete revealed no hidden foes. None that I could sense, rather. I couldn't sense anything. Focus eluded me.

A variant of pity- that's the best way I could describe it. A sort of compassion, I think, towards an existence beneath my feet. No, that didn't feel right. I felt no elation, not like usual. It felt heavier. The closest comparison was handing in schoolwork late.

Back in middle school there were situations when I waited until the last minute to finish my homework. A strange feeling ran hand in hand. Not dread, I think. A sort of grim weight in the torso, one that claimed fault for procrastinating.

How disgusting.

I opened my mouth, but the insults I'd stockpiled didn't come out. The first syllable of my attack on her character stuck in my throat. Strange, very strange. Flowery dialect translated to hesitant grunting as it left my mouth. My throat felt hoarse.

Perhaps that's why I said the unthinkable.

"My apologies."

It didn't make sense. I lacked a reason to apologize, but my mouth moved on its own. Hollow words escaped. They couldn't have meant anything. After all, an apology without remorse had no value, no weight. I knew that full well. That should've been the case...

Yet, why did she look up?

Eyes wide as if watching a unicorn, the golden girl stared at me. Mouth slightly opened, fingers relaxed, brows tensed. Next, the girl's expression shifted- startled, confused, and then stern. I didn't like that look. She had to be snickering inside, guffawing at the thought of dragging me down to her level. I had to correct the scales.

I couldn't look at her. "The exalted Satou Shibuya, rather..."

Hurry, faster.

"Shibuya?"

Before she notices.

Cold moisture sent shivers down my spine. Sweat? No, it couldn't possibly be sweat. I took a silent breath. No, too unsteady. Use the nose, not the mouth. This was an abnormal situation. The words I chose refused to come out. When I opened my mouth, a torrent spewed forth.

"I-I fooled you, hm? The exalted Satou Shibuya doesn't actually think you're a rat. Or a waterflea. Or... or a maggot. Not even a stupid lightning dog. As expected, you easily fell for my insults. You see, er, it's customary to treat assets poorly. It builds character, I suppose. When that rocky oaf bound me to the wall, I got really frustrated. The second time, rather, erm-"

"Shibuya-"

"I... perhaps thought you were a little cool. Just a little. A teensy bit. The slide into a slow walk, the gleaming eyes, perhaps my chest tightened. Again, just a bit." I paused for a moment. "B-But only because I wanted to try it. And then that fool started throwing rocks. Honestly, who throws rocks? Who? What barbarian assumed nature's pellets could harm one such as myself? My victory was the natural conclusion in such a farcical battle-"

"S-Shibuya, wait-"

"I'm serious, who throws rocks?" Something snapped. "I considered trying it for the sake of keeping an open mind, but in the end I didn't even get to do that. Honestly, who does that musclebound rockhead think he is? It's just a rock. At least let me hit you once! Troglodytes, both of them. To think, I didn't even know this stupid game was happening until this morning!

"Did you know I was fixing my homework on the way to school? I'm serious! I planned on doing nothing today. I wanted to hand in my homework, go home, then curl up on the couch and watch HEART-MAX! Now there's this oddly vague love letter, I'm dressed up in this embarrassing fetish suit, and on top of that I haven't seen sister dearest in two whole hours! Two hours, twenty-nine minutes, and fifty-three seconds! At least tell me If you're going to leave early!

"Now I can't even guarantee that I'll make it in time for my show! Reika Rurisaki wants to talk to me after school! There's a bizarre charm to her that I won't describe, and certainly she fulfills the bonus criteria of being a fair deal shorter than me, but I can't get past the teeth! Sharks are fish, and in the end mermaids are just fish people! Whose to tell me that a mermaid can't also be a shark, hm? Nobody, right?!"

When the tank finally emptied, I couldn't stop my ragged breathing. Deep breaths. Inhale, exhale. That's right, calm down. Everyone is a fool, that's all there is to it! Nobody understands what it means to be Satou Shibuya! If they could understand even a fraction of my being, perhaps they'd do me a kindness and let me spin on my wheels for a bit!

"Really, what is wrong with the people on this island?!" I stomped my foot. "I scored first place on the entrance exams! I'm not sure how, but I did it! If I'm the top scorer, why all the hassle?! I got the answers right, so why does the extra fluff matter?! It's not like I'd make a mistake! And to top it off, who does Fran Fairchild think she is? What self-indulging idiot throws a punch without warning?!

"Also, why do people keep touching me? I keep telling them not to. I absolutely hate that nobody listens! The King's orders are absolute, aren't they?! If I say not to touch my face, take me at face value! Even if you fine tune my dashing looks, even if you compliment me, every person has limits! Obviously the illustrious and immaculate Satou Shibuya would get angry if ignored!

"Besides, what do you mean I'm too soft to handle my own problems?! As if the likes of Genjou could bully me! The closest I've gotten is Gagetsu, and even that's stretching it! If you're going to pick a fight, be more obvious about it! Lunch? A movie?! I'm a paragon of integrity! Such stupid tricks won't lower my guard! Midas too, what in blazes am I supposed to do at an indoor pool?!"

I couldn't stop my brow from twitching. I glanced towards the golden girl, who at some point had gotten up. A bead of sweat condensed on her brow. For some reason, she assumed an awkward pose with both palms pointed in my direction.

What are you even doing?!

Yamashina cautiously stepped forward. "C-Calm down, Shibuya-"

"Why did you even come up here? Have I perhaps insulted you?! I wouldn't know! If you're going to throw a fit, do it to my face! What, do I strike you as the sort to put thumbtacks in your shoes? Should I kick you and spit on you? Shall I have you lick my boots? Would you like that?! I can't read minds you stupid lightning dog! And that's not the worst of it!

"I'll worry if someone struts off to the roof without a word! Suicides from work-related stress are at an all time high! Demons are scary, you know?! They're man-eating aliens! I'd be the one in trouble if anything had happened to you! You didn't consider that, hm? I mean look at this!" I glanced over the side of the building. "Without my ability, even I'd die if I fell from up here! Or not! According to studies, I'm ninety-nine-point-nine percent unkillable!"

"S-Studies?"

My brow twitched. "Oh, you didn't know? Those with especially powerful abilities are subject to WCS testing! Do you know what WCS testing is? WCS testing is when they study you until they find a way to solve you! Wouldn't want the illustrious and immaculate Satou Shibuya throwing a tantrum! Do you know what the Satou Shibuya WCS plan is?! I'm not sure either, but apparently it exists! That's a scary thought!"

Yes, very scary. I didn't like to think about it. What father stares at you through the glass and smiles? Who on this earth would smile at a time like that?!

"Wait," Yamashina paused. The golden girl slowly lowered her hands, then panned from one end of the walkway to the other. She glanced back to me. "Pardon me, hold on for just a moment. Forgive my interruption, but weren't you apologizing?"

I frowned. "I didn't apologize."

"E-Excuse me?"

"Satou Shibuya didn't apologize! It didn't happen! An apology assumes you've done something wrong, and I neither accept nor acknowledge any wrongdoing on my part. The exalted Satou Shibuya has not and will not apologize. Be warned, anything as to the contrary is false!"

Golden eyes widened in disbelief. She opened her mouth, as if to speak, but no words came. She pointed a finger at me (I scowled) then back to herself. Quiet vocalizations escaped her lips, a failed attempt to put her feelings to word. I snickered, how foolish. That's right, I had the upper hand! As expected of the exalted Satou—

"—Shibuya." Yamashina stomped forward.

"Wait, what are you—"

We locked hands, an abrupt battle of strength. It looked like some bizarre pushing battle. I clicked my tongue, so she wanted a fight? Hmph, so even Yoshida Yamashina resorted to violence! I grounded myself and tensed my muscles. Very well, I'd crush her too—

Ow?!

"I was awestruck." Yamashina shoved her thumb into my mouth and hooked a cheek. I grabbed her arm, but she hooked my other cheek too. "When we first met, I thought you looked dashing. A proud Knight, looking down from above with warm eyes. Your cruel words must've had some sort of justification. Who would take such a tone with someone they just met, right? Right?!"

My gaze panned down to the Yoshida Yamashina. Wild-eyed, red-faced, and filled with some inexplicable red-hot rage. I could almost see spirals in her twitching eyes. Now another feeling filled me, a feeling I dare not mention. Few had illicited it from me. No, hold on.

W-Wait, did she snap?

"To begin with, you have high standards?! Mom's run the patisserie for a decade, and before her Grandma ran it with Grandpa! They're the best chocolate-dipped croissants in Niflheim!" Yamashina shook me back and forth. I fell backwards and she stumbled onto me, but that didn't stop her incessant rambling. "I can't pretend you didn't insult the Yamashina family business!"

S-She heard that?!

"Besides, you didn't do anything special? I prepared for months in advance! I promised sis I'd get first place! When she heard one Satou Shibuya bested me, she laughed! What's that supposed to mean? So what if he's your boss's son?! I put in an honest effort, at least try comforting me! What does it matter if he's cute?! He'd be much cuter if he knew when to hold his tongue!"

I tried to comment. "Her boss? Wait—?!"

"Silence!" She swiftly clamped both palms over my mouth. "See?! If you were like this all the time then everyone would adore you! Whenever I start to forgive you, you speak and I want to punch you! That's never happened before! I've never wanted to punch someone mid-conversation, Satou Shibuya! I used to think you were joking, but I quickly realized you were serious! You could not speak to someone without putting them down!"

I grabbed her arms and shoved her off. "What is wrong with the people on this god forsaken island?! I thought you might get it, but you're just as insane as the rest! Hmph!"

The golden girl caught her footing. "I'm insane?! What functioning human mind complains about not seeing their sister in two hours! Wait until after school, there's bound to be places where you can meet her! That's the most disconcerting subject you've ever brought up my presence! Have you no shame?!"

I frowned. "She's the best sister in the world."

Yamashina gagged.

"W-What's that supposed to mean?!" I yelled.

"What do you think it means?!" Yamashina stood up. "How stupid, I don't care anymore! I've picked up the problem here, and here's the verdict! It seems I can stomach you! All I need do is take a deep breath, close my eyes, and pretend you're a social idiot! A slimey, pig-headed fool who can't fathom the idea of swallowing his own pride!"

"Hmph, how foolish. Pretend? There's no need, you've come to the correct conclusion! It's true that I have no friends, and it's also true that I think social conventions are stupid! It's their loss though! The longer I go without friends, the better my first friend will be! It's simple math! Math! That's the reason I'm the top scoring student!"

Yamashina froze. "W-Wait, say that once more."

How annoying!

I clicked my tongue. "You need to hear it again? I'm the top scoring student—"

"Not that part," Yamashina shook her head. She glanced at the distant fortress, then to me. "You... truly don't have any friends, Shibuya? None at all? Not even one? Not a single person comes to mind when the topic of friendship and comradery comes up?"

"How foolish," I said this with a frown. "Rather, you're being abnormally intrusive today. It's starting to creep me out. The exalted Satou Shibuya can't stave off such a dark feeling. This is the most perturbed I've felt in a long while. Aren't you supposed to be the calm and composed sort? The type to be a knight in a fantasy setting."

Yamashina also frowned. "A knight? Myself?"

"You called me shameful! Then, when all was said and done, you even called me your rival! Your eyes were glinting, you know?! I witnessed a level three super move firsthand!"

The golden girl seemed to mull over this.

Now then, there is a point in every man's life when he witnesses the breakdown of an ideal. For the common youth, they reach adulthood and realize that their parents are people too. Not superheroes, but simple people who wanted a life for their children. Once this integral pillar of the self is broken, you've matured enough to stand on your own two feet.

In the eyes of Satou Shibuya, the world ran on two separate systems. First, the system that allowed a person to be a perfect, unquestionable existence that could do no wrong. This was exclusive to the me of then. Second, the flawed system on which every other living being ran. The twisted code that promised no fame and no fortune without effort.

Within the confines of this system, only the brightest lights captured my eyes.

Yoshida Yamashina represented a lesser variant of perfection. The common man's perfection, separate in its entirety from Satou Shibuya's perfection. Fierce eyes, Sharp countenance, and a honed posture. A well-proportioned body, long legs, and brilliant golden hair. She was the ninety-nine percent to my a hundred. And so, when she spoke—

"I-Is that how it seemed?!"

—I'd never been more disillusioned.

Red-faced, her brow moist with sweat, the golden girl pointed both palms at me. She spoke fast, such that I almost couldn't understand her. "It's true that I called you shameful, but you caught me off guard. I was flustered, I barely knew what I was saying. I compared black hair to tree bark, remember? Honestly, think about it! They vastly differ! Besides, you were acting rather odd!"

"Eh?"

"A-Also, you were trying to pass off responsibility to me! Perhaps you thought you looked smart? Everyone could see your reluctance to be class representative. Few people wouldn't get angry! You insulted me after results came out, then you misremembered my name! You did so during your sales pitch as well! I was looking for any excuse to trouble you!"

"You were bullying me?!"

"And whose eyes were glinting? I honestly and truly wanted to show my worth. In my defense, you stepped all over me in all interactions up until then! Mom thought I was being bullied! She wanted to call the school! What should I have done, sheepishly asked to compete with you? I'm fairly certain you would have laughed it off!"

"Then, when we arm-wrestled," I paused for a moment. "Am I correct in assuming that you wanted show your worth there? Because you wanted the first year representative seat?"

Yamashina's gaze sharpened. "Rather, I'd hoped to sprain your wrist. I thought it would be nice if your studies worsened and mine improved."

"How terrible! I almost had faith in you!"

When the dust settled, I struggled to see the prideful knight of a girl I'd once mocked. Back against the fence, golden eyes locked on my agape mouth, everything clicked into place. I spoke not to Yoshida Yamashina, Zeta candidate and the second highest scorer. I spoke to Yoshida Yamashina, a stupid high school girl with stupid high school problems!

Every instance of heated interaction between us fell to bits. We weren't rivals striving to one-up each other! No way, all traces of noblesse oblige and honour disappeared into thin air! She was trying to bully me! Me! A person attempted to bully me and I failed to notice! How does that even work?! I dropped my makeshift sword and held my head.

"A-As expected, the exalted Satou Shibuya never had any competition!" I laughed. "It was all in my head, a fictional narrative sparked by a series of misunderstandings. It's not my fault. I didn't make the mistake, so it doesn't go on my list. She who failed to convey her intentions is at fault!"

"Shibuya?" She knelt.

"You!" I slapped my hand against the adjacent wall. Once, then twice. "It's my turn! I get to say the line! I, the prestigious and pristine Satou S. Shibuya, demand compensation! You've got ten seconds, Yoshida Yamashina! Make me a good offer, preferably something I don't already have! I'm the strongest, after all! Ten!"

The golden girl squinted. "P-Pardon me?"

"Nine! Eight!"

"I'm sorry, what?" She glanced from side to side.

"Seven, six, five, four—"

"Hold on, I require a moment to think!"

The golden girl seemed to consider my words with the utmost seriousness. About time! She crossed her arms and touched a thumb to her chin, deep in thought. As soon as her focus returned to me, I cleared my throat and prepared to continue. She was quick to cut me off.

"Three-"

Yamashina snapped her fingers. "Friendship?"

My brow twitched. Certainly I stated I didn't have friends. Certainly I didn't say she needed to give me material wealth. However, something about her matter of fact tone made me scowl. I stood up and crossed my arms, giving no response.

"F-Friendship?" She seemed more uncertain this time.

"Two!"

"Shibuya?!"

I puffed out my chest. "You haven't given me anything yet!"

Yoshida Yamashina stood up and cleared her throat. Her expression returned to the stern, steadfast countenance that I'd come to expect. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, then focused on me once more. I heard the breath escape her lips. The golden girl stepped forward until a little over two feet separated us.

"S-Satou Shibuya," Yamashina held out her hand. "I retain much of what I said about you on the field. You're a megalomaniac, a man who'd admire himself at the end of the world. If I'm being completely honest, I can't stand that."

"How rude."

"Even still," she continued, "would you accept my friendship?

Hearing those words, I went to work grading her approach. Straight posture, sufficient footing, but also a very well-placed hand. Not fully outstretched, but slightly bent- a position that conveyed strength over energy. She didn't avert her gaze as we locked eyes. Rather, her eyes seemed to focus. Yoshida Yamashina assumed a textbook pre-handshake pose.

Now then, what to do?

When I gave it some thought, the situation carried a fair deal more weight than initially expected. I'd expected free pastries as a peace offering. Rather, I'd very much have preferred a danish. I glanced at the girl's outstretched hand and shivered. As expected, I really loathed the idea of touching her. I gave no small amount of thought to the idea of declining.

Satou Shibuya had no friends. Following this logic, Satou Shibuya needed no friends. This social climate hadn't changed in years. Not even after enrolling in I.K. Middle School. Not Kawagusa General Academy either. I could make friends whenever I wanted.

In that case, my answer should be—

"My, what have we here?"

Yamashina raised her fists. I kicked my sword into the air and caught it. Our eyes shifted to the sky, where the voice's source greeted us. I clicked my tongue.

He decided to come?

Atop the metal fence stood a familiar green-haired youth, both hands stretched at his sides. The sun's dim rays projected his slender shadow onto the concrete beneath. He wouldn't fall. He couldn't- few could compare with his footwork, myself included.

The youth's glossy anti-contamination suit reflected my cool gaze. Serpentine eyes yellow stared down through rectangle-framed glasses. His thin lips twisted into a malformed crescent. One could always count on this snake to ruin a moment.

He- Genjou Gekkouhara dropped into a low squat. His eyes danced between the battle-ready Yoshida Yamashina and I. With fingers clasped, I heard him snicker. A different sort of snicker, one I'd never heard before. His eyes shifted back to mine.

"You made a new friend?" He grinned.

"Tch."

Satou Shibuya's first mistake made its appearance.